Electrical connector having double-locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

In a temporary locking state, there is a little clearance C between an end wall of a contact hole provided at an insulator and an end surface of a contact. When a double locking member is pushed down from a temporary locking position to a regular locking position, an engaging portion of the double locking member pushes an inclined plane of a second stabilizer of the contact. Therefore, the contact moves to the forward direction. When the end surface of the contact is brought into contact with the end wall of the contact accommodating chamber, the contact stops. Then, the clearance C becomes naught. Since the contact of the connector cannot move to the insulator, contacts of the connector and a mating connector can stably comes into contact with each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector which locksdoubly a plurality of contacts in an insulator thereof. Here, doublelocking means temporary locking by lances of the insulator and regularlocking by a double locking member.

[0002] An essential point of a first conventional electrical connectorwill be described referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The firstconventional electrical connector is described in Japanese UnexaminedPatent Publication (A) No. 325814 of 1994 (JP 6-325814 A).

[0003] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a connector consists of an insulator21, a double locking member (retainer) 22, a restraining member 23, anda plurality of contacts 24. The double locking member (retainer) 22, tobe described later, is located at either a temporary locking position ora regular locking portion.

[0004] The insulator 21 is formed in the shape of a box as a whole. Apair of lock levers 25 which interlocks a mating connector is installedat the upper surface of the insulator 21. An end of each lock lever 25is fixed at the upper surface of the insulator 21, and the other end ofeach lock lever 25 is a free one. A finger-pressure portion 26 isinstalled at the free ends of both lock levers 25. The finger-pressureportion 26 is located at a concavity of a frame-shaped thick portion 27which is formed at the rear end side (that is, the opposite side to theconnecting side with the mating connector) of the insulator 21. When theconnector connects with the mating connector (not shown), thefinger-pressure portion 26 sinks once toward the inside of the insulator21. Subsequently, the finger-pressure portion 26 returns to the initialportion thereof and engages with the mating connector.

[0005] A plurality of contact-accommodating chambers or contact holes 28which accommodate each contact 24 partitively are formed in theinsulator 21. The contact-accommodating chambers 28 are constituted intwo steps in the up and down direction of the insulator 21. The elevencontact-accommodating chambers 28 are formed at each step, respectively.The rear end portion of each contact-accommodating chamber 28 in theupper step is located at the inside of the insulator 21 in order toaccommodate the double locking member 22 and forms a space 29 whichaccommodates the double locking member 22. The double locking member 22is located on the partitive walls which partition thecontact-accommodating chambers 28 in the lower step.

[0006] Further, the rear end portions of the partitive walls whichpartition the contact-accommodating chambers 28 in the lower step drawback to the inside of the insulator 21 and form a space 30 whichaccommodates the restraining member 23.

[0007] An engaging projection 27 a which engages with two engaginggrooves 22 e and 22 f of the double locking member 22 is formed on bothend surfaces of the concavity of the frame-shaped thick portion 27,respectively. In FIG. 1, only the engaging projection 27 a of the leftside of the frame-shaped thick portion 27 appears. However, since FIG. 1is a perspective view, the engaging projection 27 a of the right side ofthe frame-shaped thick portion 27 does not appear.

[0008] Furthermore, an engaging window 27 b is formed at the rear insideof both the right and left sides of the frame-shaped thick portion 27,respectively.

[0009] A pair of engaging projections 23 a formed protrusively from boththe right and left sides of the restraining member 23 engages with apair of the engaging windows 27 b bored at both the right and left sidesof the frame-shaped thick portion 27, respectively. In FIG. 1, only theengaging window 27 b of the left side of the frame-shaped thick portion27 appears. However, since FIG. 1 is a perspective view, the engagingwindow 27 b of the right side of the frame-shaped thick portion 27 doesnot appear.

[0010] A pair of engaging projections 23 b formed protrusively from thetop side of the restraining member 23 engages with a pair of engagingholes (not shown) bored at the upper inside of the frame-shaped thickportion 27, respectively.

[0011] The double locking member 22 which is accommodated in the space29 of the insulator 21 has an upper-plate portion 22 a and a lower-plateportion 22 b. The upper-plate portion 22 a faces parallel and separatelythe lower-plate portion 22 b. A plurality of partitive walls areinstalled as one body at a given interval between the upper-plateportion 22 a and the lower-plate portion 22 b. A plurality of contactthrough-holes 22 c are constituted by the partitive walls. The contactthrough-holes 22 c communicate with the contact-accommodating chambers28 in the upper step of the insulator 21, respectively.

[0012] A pair of finger-pressure portions 22 d is formed protrusively onthe upper-portion 22 a of the double locking member 22. Each of thefinger-pressure portions 22 d is inserted between the concavity of theframe-shaped thick portion 27 and the finger-pressure portion 26 of thelocking lever 25, respectively. A convex stripe 22 g is formedhorizontally at the outside of each finger-pressure portion 22 d. Theengaging grooves 22 e and 22 f are formed above and below each convexstripe 22 g, respectively. The engaging grooves 22 e and 22 f engagewith the engaging projection 27 a which is formed on each end surface ofthe concavity of the frame-shaped thick portion 27. When the doublelocking member 22 is located at a temporary locking position, theengaging groove 22 f disposed at the lower side engages with theengaging projection 27 a. That is to say, the engaging groove 22 fdisposed at the lower side is a temporary engaging groove. When thedouble locking member 22 is located at the descended position (i.e. aregular locking position), the engaging groove 22 e disposed at theupper side engages with the engaging projection 27 a. That is to say,the engaging groove 22 e is a regular engaging groove.

[0013] Next, after the double locking member 22 is inserted into thespace 29 of the insulator 21, the restraining member 23 is inserted intothe space 30 of the insulator 21. The restraining member 23 prevents thedouble locking member 22 from escaping out of the space 29. The bottomside of the restraining member 23 is joined with the bottom end of theinsulator 21 through a hinge portion 31. When the restraining member 23is lifted up to the direction shown by an arrow around the hinge portion31, the engaging projections 23 a, 23 a, 23 b, and 23 b engage with thecorresponding engaging windows 27 b or the engaging holes (not shown)formed at the insulator 21, respectively A plurality of contactthrough-holes 23 c are formed in a lattice at the restraining member 23also. The contact through-holes 23 c communicate with the contactaccommodating chambers 28 in the lower step of the insulator 21 and thecontact through-holes 22 c in the upper step of the double lockingmember 22.

[0014] Each contact 24 is equipped with a first engaging portion 24 aengaging a lance 21 a (refer FIG. 3) which is formed in the insulator 21and a second engaging portion 24 b engaging the double locking member22.

[0015] Further, the description will proceed to insertion of eachcontact 24 into the restraining member 23 and the insulator 21. Atfirst, each engaging projection 27 a of the frame-shaped thick portion27 engages with each engaging groove 22 f of the double locking member22. The double locking member 22 is located at the temporary lockingposition. In this state, each contact 24 is inserted from each contactinsert-hole 23 c of the restraining member 23 to each contactaccommodating chamber 28 in the insulator 21.

[0016] In case of the double locking member 22 is located at thetemporary locking position, as shown FIG. 3, each lance 21 a formed inthe insulator 21 engages with the first engaging portion 24 a of eachcontact 24. However, both lower edges of the upper-plate portion 22 aand the lower-plate portion 22 b of the double locking member 22 do notengage with the side surface of the second engaging portion 24 b of eachcontact 24. In this state, each contact 24 can be inserted into andextracted from the restraining member 23 and the insulator 21.Incidentally, each lance 21 a can be released from the first engagingportion 24 a of each contact 24 by the following way. That is to say,each lance 21 a having elasticity is deformed by way of a screw driverand the like.

[0017] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the finger-pressureportions 22 d of the double locking member 22 is pushed by an operator'sfinger, the double locking member 22 goes down. Thereupon, both thelower edges of the upper-plate portion 22 a and the lower-plate portion22 b of the double locking member 22 engage with the side surface of thesecond engaging portion 24 b of each contact 24. When the double lockingmember 22 has reached the regular locking position, each engagingprojection 27 a of the insulator 21 gets over each convex stripe 22 g ofthe double locking member 22 and engages with each regular engaginggroove 22 e. Then, the double locking member 22 is prevented from moving(i.e. rising) thereof hereafter.

[0018] Incidentally speaking, when even a contact 24 is located in anon-perfect inserting position (i.e. a half inserting position), thebottom surface of the upper-plate portion 22 a or the lower-plateportion 22 b of the double locking member 22 hits against the topsurface of the second engaging portion 24 b of the contact 24.Therefore, the double locking member 22 is prevented from moving thereofto the regular locking position. Consequently, it can be detected withease that even one contact 24 is located in a half inserting position.

[0019] Succeedingly, an essential point of a second conventionalelectrical connector will be described referring to FIGS. 5 to 13. Thesecond conventional electrical connector is described in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication (A) No. 195456 of 1999 (JP 11-195456 A).

[0020] Referring FIGS. 5 and 6, a socket connector 40 is equipped with asocket insulator 41, two coil springs 42, and a sliding member 43. Thefront center of the sliding member 43 is equipped with a regulatingprotrusion 43 a. The sliding member 43 is equipped with two protrusiveportions 43 b which guide and preserve the coil springs 42.

[0021] A plurality of contact accommodating holes 49 having an opening49 a (referring FIGS. 8C etc.), respectively, for receiving pin contacts52 a, 52 b, and 52 c are formed at the front end and in the before andbehind direction of the socket insulator 41. Each socket contact 44connected a cable 60 at an end thereof is accommodated in each contactaccommodating hole 49.

[0022] Further, an accommodating hole 45 for the sliding member 43 isformed at the center of the socket insulator 41. The sliding member 43is accommodated in the accommodating hole 45 so as to slide in thebefore and behind direction and be biased in the before direction by thecoil springs 42.

[0023] Furthermore, a pair of key grooves 46 is formed from the frontend toward the back at both the right and left sides of theaccommodating hole 45 in the socket insulator 41.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, a pin connector 50 has a pininsulator 51. The pin insulator 51 is equipped with two contactaccommodating holes 51 a which stand horizontally in a line. An end ofeach of pin contacts 52 a, 52 b, and 52 c for signals is insertedprotrusively in the contact accommodating holes 51 a through the rearwall of the pin insulator 51 from the outside of the pin insulator 51.And besides, the other end of each of the pin contacts 52 a, 52 b, and52 c lengthens to the rear of the pin insulator 51 and bends in aL-shape. Still more, the other ends of the pin contacts 52 a, 52 b, and52 c are arranged by a locator 53 and are inserted into through-holes 61a of a printed circuit board 61. The pin insulator 51 is fixed on theprinted circuit board 61 by means of screws and so forth.

[0025] A pair of locking arms 54 is installed horizontally at the centerin the top and bottom and crosswise directions of each contactaccommodating hole 51 a. A pair of keys 55 which is inserted into thepair of the key grooves 46 of the socket insulator 41 is provided atboth the right and left sides of the pair of the locking arms 54.

[0026] Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 5, a pair of protrusive portions41 a provided at the top surface of the socket insulator 41 engages witha pair of grooves 51 b provided at the top surface of each accommodatinghole 51 a of the pin connector 50. A pair of grooves 41 b provided atthe bottom surface of the socket insulator 41 engages with a pair ofprotrusive portions 51 c provided at the bottom surface of eachaccommodating hole 51 a of the pin connector 50. The relationshipbetween the distance of the pair of the protrusive portions 41 a and thedistance of the pair of the grooves 51 b and the relationship betweenthe distance of the pair of the grooves 41 b and the distance of thepair of the protrusive portions 51 c differ in compliance withcombinations of one of a plurality of the socket connectors 40 and oneof a plurality of the pin connectors 50. This difference preventsbetween the socket connectors 40 and the pin connectors 50 from engagingin the wrong.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 8A to 13C, the description will proceed to anengagement between the socket connector 40 and the pin connector 50.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 8A, when the socket connector 40 engagescompletely with the pin connector 50, the pair of locking arms 54 isaccommodated in the accommodating hole 45 of the socket connector 40 andthe regulating protrusion 43 a of the sliding member 43 is inserted intoa gap between the locking arms 54. Each of protrusive portions 54 a ofthe locking arms 54 is accommodated in an accommodated hole 41 c formedat the socket insulator 41 and engages with an engaging step portion 41d formed at the socket insulator 41. Therefore, the socket connector 40is prevented from disengaging out of the pin connector 50. The pair ofthe keys 55 is inserted into the pair of the key grooves 46.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 8B, the insulator 41 is equipped with a pair ofspring accommodating holes 41 e which accommodates the pair of coilsprings 42. On one hand, the sliding member 43 is equipped with a pairof spring accommodating portions 43 c providing the pair of theprotrusive portions 43 b at both the upper and lower positions of theregulating protrusion 43 a thereof. The pair of the coil springs 42 isaccommodated all over the pair of spring accommodating holes 41 e andthe pair of spring accommodating portions 43 c, including thecircumference of each protrusive portion 43 b.

[0030] A double locking member 47 locks regularly the socket contacts44. A restraining member 48 prevents the double locking member 47 fromseparating out of the socket insulator 41.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 8C, the pin contacts 52 a, 52 b, and 52 c forthe signals come into contact with the socket contacts 44.

[0032]FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C show the states when the socket connector 40does not yet engage the pin connector 50. A front plane 41 f of theinsulator 41 of the socket connector 40 confronts with an opening 51 dof the insulator 51 of the pin connector 50. After this, the insulator41 is inserted into the accommodating holes 51 a through the opening 51d.

[0033]FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C show the states when the outside of theinsulator 41 of the socket connector 40 has been guided by the innerwall of the accommodating holes 51 a and the socket connector 40 haspartly engaged the pin connector 50. The keys 55 are inserted into thekey grooves 46. However, each of the pin contacts 52 a, 52 b, and 52 cfor the signals does not yet come into contact with each of the contacts44 of the socket connector 40.

[0034]FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C show the states that the socket connector40 has more been inserted into the pin connector 50. The pair of theprotrusive portions 54 a of the locking arms 54 is restrained so as tobend toward the inside of the pin connector 50 by an opening 41 g formedin the insulator 41 and a pair of guide walls 41 h adjoining the opening41 g. The locking arms 54 bend elastically and enter into anaccommodating hole 41 c bored in the insulator 41 along the pair of theguide walls 41 h. And so, the top ends of the protrusive portions 54 acome into contact with the regulating protrusion 43 a of the slidemember 43. At the same time, the pin contacts 52 a, 52 b, and 52 c enterinto the inside of the insulator 41 from the openings 49 a and begin tocome into contact with the socket contacts 44, respectively.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 12A to 13C, when the socket connector 40 isstill more inserted into the pin connector 50, the protrusive portions54 a of the locking arms 54 push the regulating protrusion 43 a of thesliding member 43 to the rearward, opposing a force of the coil springs42 which bias the sliding member 43 to the left direction. In thisstate, when the socket connector 40 discontinues to be inserted into thepin connector 50, the socket connector 40 is given a force in thedirection pushed out of the pin connector 50 by a reaction of the coilsprings 42.

[0036] When the socket connector 40 is yet still more inserted into thepin connector 50 as shown in FIG. 8A, the protrusive portions 54 a ofthe locking arms 54 are accommodated in the accommodating holes 41 c.Since the sliding member 43 is always biased to the left direction bythe coil springs 42, the regulating protrusion 43 a enters between thelocking arms 54. Accordingly, each locking arm 54 is limited bending tothe inside thereof and each protrusive portion 54 a is prevented frommoving to the inside of each locking arm 54. Then, the socket connector40 engages completely with the pin connector 50. At the same time, eachof the pin contacts 52 a, 52 b, and 52 c comes into contact with each ofthe contacts 44. Hereupon, when two voluntary contacts 44 areshort-circuited and continuity of two pin contacts corresponding the twovoluntary contacts 44 is detected, it is known that the socket connector40 has completely engaged with the pin connector 50.

[0037] Next, the description will proceed to separation between thesocket connector 40 and the pin connector 50.

[0038] In the states shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, a pull 43 d of thesliding member 43 is moved to the right side by an operator's finger,the regulating protrusion 43 a is pulled out of the protrusive portions54 a of the locking arms 54. Succeedingly, as shown in FIGS. 13A, 13B,and 13C, the regulating protrusion 43 a has been pulled out of theprotrusive portions 54 a and the pin connector 50 is moved so as to bepulled out of the socket connector 40. Then, the pair of the lockingarms 54 bends to the inside thereof and the protrusive portions 54 apass through the pair of the guide walls 41 h. On this occasion, even ifthe pull 43 d of the sliding member 43 is released from the operator'sfinger, the regulating protrusion 43 a pushes the protrusive portion 54a out of the accommodating hole 41 c by the reaction of the coil springs42.

[0039] Further, as shown FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, at first, each of theprotrusive portions 54 a is pulled out of the opening 41 g. Next, eachof the keys 55 is pulled out of each of the key grooves 46. At thistime, each of the pin contacts 52 a, 52 b, and 52 c for the signals ispulled out of the socket connector 40 and separates from each of thesocket contacts 44. Continuously, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, thepin connector 50 separates completely from the socket connector 40, thatis to say, the engagement between the socket connector 40 and the pinconnector 50 is released.

[0040] Moreover, an essential point of a socket connector 71 in a thirdconventional electrical connector will be described referring to FIGS.14 and 15.

[0041] An insulator 72 of the socket connector 71 is equipped with aplurality of contact accommodating chambers 72A by three stepsstructure. Each of a plurality of contacts 73 is accommodated in each ofthe accommodating chambers 72A, respectively. Each contact 73 has arectangular-shaped stabilizer 73A at the center thereof and a touchingportion 73B at the left side thereof. An electric wire 74 is connectedat the right side of each contact 73. A double locking member 75 isinstalled movably in the top and bottom direction at the insulator 72.

[0042] In a temporary locking state of each contact 73 shown FIGS. 14Aand 14B, a protrusion 75A formed at the double locking member 75 locks acorner 72B of the insulator 72 as shown FIG. 14A. Therefore, the doublelocking member 75 is prevented from pulling out of the insulator 72.

[0043]FIG. 15B shows the state that each contact 73 is completelyaccommodated in the accommodating chambers 72A equipped at the upper andmiddle steps of the insulator 72, respectively, but a contact 73 is notcompletely accommodated in the accommodating chamber 72A equipped at thelower step of the insulator 72. In this state, since the double lockingmember 75 hits against the stabilizer 73A of the contact 73 accommodatedat the lower step of the insulator 72, the double locking member 75 cannot be pushed into the insulator 72. And besides, since the bottomportion 75B of the double locking member 75 protrudes from the bottom ofthe insulator 72, the socket connector 71 is prevented from engagingwith a pin connector (not shown).

[0044] When the contact 73 is completely accommodated in theaccommodating chamber 72A equipped at the lower step of the insulator72, all of the three contacts 73 become to the temporary locking stateas shown in FIG. 15C.

[0045] In the temporary locking state, when the bottom portion 75B ofthe double locking member 75 is pushed into the insulator 72, all of thethree contacts 73 become to the regular locking state. In the regularlocking state, a protrusion 75C formed at the double locking member 75locks a corner 72C of the insulator 72 as shown in FIG. 14D.Consequently, the double locking member 75 is prevented from getting outof the insulator 72. In the regular locking state, since the bottomportion 75B of the double locking member 75 does not protrude from thebottom of the insulator 72, the socket connector 71 can engage with thepin connector.

[0046] In the three conventional electrical connectors above-mentioned,after the connector has engaged with the mating connector, even if eachof the contacts is locked by the double locking member, a gap occursbetween each of the contacts and the insulator of either the connectoror the mating connector.

[0047] Therefore, each of the contacts of the connector and that of themating connector are relatively movable each other. And so, when avibration happens between the connector and the mating connector whichare engaged with each other, a fretting corrosion occurs between each ofthe contacts of the connector and that of the mating connector. As aresult, since an oxide is made on the surface of each contact, there isthe possibility of a bad electrical continuity because an electricalresistance of each contact increases. And besides, the double lockingmember can not engage smoothly with each contact.

[0048] Further, the three conventional connectors above-mentioned has acomplicated structure, a large number of parts, and a high price ofmanufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0049] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide anelectrical connector having a double locking mechanism in which there isno gap between a contact and an insulator thereof.

[0050] It is another object of this invention to provide an electricalconnector having a double locking mechanism whose double locking membercan engage smoothly with a contact.

[0051] It is still another object of this invention to provide anelectrical connector having a double locking mechanism with a compactstructure, a few parts, and a low price of manufacturing cost.

[0052] In accordance with an aspect of this invention, there is providedan electrical connector having a contact double-locking structure forlocking a contact inserted into a contact hole in an insulator, thedouble-locking structure comprising a double locking member, thedouble-locking member can move to the direction perpendicular to theinserting direction of the contact in the insulator between a temporarylocking position where the double-locking member is temporarily lockedwith a portion of the insulator and a regular locking position where thedouble-locking member is regularly locked at a different position in theinsulator, the double-locking member being prevented from moving fromthe temporary locking position to the regular locking position by astabilizer of the contact when the contact is incompletely inserted intothe contact hole, the double-locking member can move from the temporarylocking position to the regular locking position when the contact iscompletely inserted into the contact hole, the double-locking memberhaving an engaging portion for engaging with the stabilizer to preventthe contact from moving out of the contact hole in the oppositedirection to the inserting direction when the double-locking member isin the regular locking position, wherein the stabilizer has a guidingportion for guiding the engaging portion therealong when thedouble-locking member is moved into the regular locking position,whereby the contact is moved in the inserting direction and is broughtinto its completely inserted position without clearance between thestabilizer and the engaging portion.

[0053] Preferably, the guiding portion is an inclined plane.

[0054] Preferably, the stabilizer is equipped with a slit and iselastically deformable.

[0055] Preferably, the engaging portion is equipped with a groove forholding the stabilizer to prevent the contact from moving in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the contact.

[0056] Preferably, the engaging portion is equipped with a groove forholding the stabilizer to prevent the contact from moving in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the contact.

[0057] Preferably, the connector has a plurality of contacts withstabilizers held in a plurality of contact holes in the insulator. Thedouble-locking member has a plurality of engaging portions which preventthe contacts, respectively, from moving in the opposite directions tothe inserting direction by engaging with stabilizers of the contacts,respectively.

[0058] Preferably, the stabilizer is elastically deformable.

[0059] Preferably, the stabilizer is equipped with a slit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first conventionalelectrical connector having a double locking mechanism;

[0061]FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the first conventionalelectrical connector;

[0062]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the firstconventional electrical connector in which a plurality of contacts areinserted and a double locking member is located in a temporary lockingposition;

[0063]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the essential portion of the firstconventional electrical connector in which the plurality of contacts areinserted and the double locking member is located in a regular lockingposition;

[0064]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second conventional electricalconnector having a double locking mechanism before engagement;

[0065]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a socket connector inthe second conventional electrical connector;

[0066]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pin connector in the secondconventional electrical connector installed on a printed circuit board.However, the upper portion of the pin connector is cut off;

[0067]FIG. 8A is a partial transverse sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector on engagement;

[0068]FIG. 8B is a longitudinal sectional view along a line H-H in FIG.8A;

[0069]FIG. 8C is another longitudinal sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector on engagement;

[0070]FIG. 9A is a partial transverse sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector just before engagement;

[0071]FIG. 9B is a longitudinal sectional view along a line (not shown)in FIG.9A corresponding the line H-H in FIG. 8A;

[0072]FIG. 9C is another longitudinal sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector just before engagement;

[0073]FIG. 10A is a partial transverse sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector on a first engaging process;

[0074]FIG. 10B is a longitudinal sectional view along a line (not shown)in FIG. 10A corresponding the line H-H in FIG. 8A;

[0075]FIG. 10C is another longitudinal sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector on the first engaging process;

[0076]FIG. 11A is a partial transverse sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector on a second engaging process;

[0077]FIG. 11B is a longitudinal sectional view along a line (not shown)in FIG. 11A corresponding the line H-H in FIG. 8A;

[0078]FIG. 11C is another longitudinal sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector on the second engaging process;

[0079]FIG. 12A is a partial transverse sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector on a third engaging process;

[0080]FIG. 12B is a longitudinal sectional view along a line (not shown)in FIG. 12A corresponding the line H-H in FIG. 8A;

[0081]FIG. 12C is another longitudinal sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector on the third engaging process;

[0082]FIG. 13A is a partial transverse sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector on a fourth engaging process;

[0083]FIG. 13B is a longitudinal sectional view along a line (not shown)in FIG. 13A corresponding the line H-H in FIG. 8A;

[0084]FIG. 13C is another longitudinal sectional view of the secondconventional electrical connector on the fourth engaging process;

[0085]FIG. 14A is a sectional view of a socket connector in a thirdconventional electrical connector in a temporary locking state;

[0086]FIG. 14B is another sectional view of the socket connector in thethird conventional electrical connector in the temporary locking state;

[0087]FIG. 14C is a sectional view of the socket connector in the thirdconventional electrical connector in a regular locking state;

[0088]FIG. 14D is another sectional view of the socket connector in thethird conventional electrical connector in the regular locking state;

[0089]FIG. 15A is a front view (partially a sectional view) of a contactof the socket connector in the third conventional electrical connector;

[0090]FIG. 15B is a sectional view of the socket connector in the thirdconventional electrical connector when one contact is not yetaccommodated in an insulator;

[0091]FIG. 15C is a sectional view of the socket connector in the thirdconventional electrical connector in the temporary locking state;

[0092]FIG. 15D is a sectional view of the socket connector in the thirdconventional electrical connector in the regular locking state;

[0093]FIG. 16A is a sectional view of an electrical connector accordingto a first embodiment of this invention when a contact is located in atemporary locking state;

[0094]FIG. 16B is a sectional view of the electrical connector accordingto the first embodiment of this invention when the contact is located ina regular locking state;

[0095]FIG. 16C is an enlarged sectional view of a second stabilizer ofthe contact in the electrical connector according to the firstembodiment of this invention;

[0096]FIG. 16D is an enlarged sectional view of a double locking memberin the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of thisinvention;

[0097]FIG. 17A is a sectional view of an electrical connector accordingto a second embodiment of this invention when a contact is located in atemporary locking state;

[0098]FIG. 17B is a sectional view of the electrical connector accordingto the second embodiment of this invention when the contact hasincompletely been inserted in an insulator;

[0099]FIG. 18A is a sectional view of an electrical connector accordingto a third embodiment of this invention when a contact is located in atemporary locking state;

[0100]FIG. 18B is a side view of a double locking member in theelectrical connector according to the third embodiment of thisinvention;

[0101]FIG. 18C is a sectional view of the double locking member in theelectrical connector according to the third embodiment of thisinvention;

[0102]FIG. 19A is; a front view (partially a sectional view) of acontact of a socket connector in an electrical connector according to afourth embodiment of this invention;

[0103]FIG. 19B is a sectional view of the socket connector in theelectrical connector according to the fourth embodiment of thisinvention in a temporary locking state;

[0104]FIG. 19C is a sectional view of the socket connector in theelectrical connector according to the fourth embodiment of thisinvention in a regular locking state;

[0105]FIG. 20A is a sectional view of the electrical connector accordingto the fourth embodiment of this invention in an engaging state; and

[0106]FIG. 20B is another sectional view of the electrical connectoraccording to the fourth embodiment of this invention in the engagingstate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0107] The description will proceed to four electrical connectors havinga double locking mechanism according to four preferred embodiments ofthis invention. However, the description will mainly proceed to peculiarportions of each embodiment and will not proceed to the same portions ofthe three conventional electrical connectors having the double lockingmechanism above-mentioned.

[0108] At first, referring now to FIGS. 16A to 16D, the description willproceed to an electrical connector having the double locking mechanismaccording to a first preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0109] In FIG. 16A, a socket contact 2 is accommodated in one of aplurality of contact accommodating chambers 1A formed at an insulator 1,respectively. A generally trapezoid-shaped first stabilizer 2A and asecond stabilizer 2B are formed at the upper portion of the center ofthe socket contact 2. An electric wire 3 is connected with the right endof the socket contact 2. The insulator 1 is made of plastics withelasticity such as polymer alloy and the like.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 16C, a slit 2E is formed along an inclinedsurface 2C and a perpendicular surface 2D of the socket contact 2. Andbesides, as shown in FIG. 16D, a slit 4A is formed at the bottom of adouble locking member 4. The slit 2E and the slit 4A are formed so thatthe second stabilizer 2B and the double locking member 4 can deformelastically with ease, respectively.

[0111] In the state of FIG. 16A, there is a little clearance C betweenthe left end wall of the contact accommodating chamber 1A and the leftend surface of the socket contact 2. In this state, when the doublelocking member 4 is pushed down from a temporary locking positionillustrated by a solid line to a regular locking position illustrated bya broken line, an engaging portion 4B of the left side bottom of thedouble locking member 4 pushes the inclined surface 2C of the secondstabilizer 2B. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 16B, the socket contact 2moves to the left direction. When the left end of the socket contact 2has hit against the left end wall of the contact accommodating chamber1A, the socket contact 2 stops. At this time, the clearance C becomesnaught. Since the socket contact 2 can not move to the insulator 1, apin contact of a pin connector (not shown) can stably connect with thesocket contact 2.

[0112] Next, referring now to FIGS. 17A and 17B, the description willproceed to an electrical connector having a double locking mechanismaccording to a second preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0113] An elastically deformable lance 1B is formed at a socketinsulator 1. A pair of generally U-shaped end portions 1C and 1D isformed at the end of the lance 1B. A first stabilizer 2A and a secondstabilizer 2B are formed at the upper portion of the center of a contact2. An inclined surface 2F and a concavity 2G continuing the inclinedsurface 2F are formed at the first stabilizer 2A.

[0114]FIG. 17A shows a temporary locking state that the end portion 1Cof the lance 1B has been inserted in the concavity 2G of the contact 2.In this state, a double locking member 4 can be pushed down as well asthe first embodiment above-mentioned. When the double locking member 4is pushed down, an engaging portion 4B of the double locking member 4pushes the inclined surface 2C of the second stabilizer 2B. Then, sincethe contact 2 moves to the left direction, the end portion 1C of thelance 1B rides on the top surface 2H of the first stabilizer 2A by wayof the inclined surface 2F. In the temporary locking state, how torelease the lance 1B from the contact 2 is as follows. At first, a tipof a screw driver etc. is inserted between the pair of the end portions1 c and 1D. Next, the end portion 1D is lifted up. Thereupon, the endportion 1C escapes from the concavity 2G.

[0115]FIG. 17B shows the state that the contact 2 has been insertedhalfway in a contact accommodating chamber (not shown) of the insulator1. That is to say, the contact 2 has not yet been inserted in thetemporary locking position by the lance 1B. In this state, when thedouble locking member 4 is pushed down, the bottom plane 4E thereof hitsagainst the top surface 2 l of the second stabilizer 2B. Therefore, thedouble locking member 4 can not be pushed down any more.

[0116] Further, referring now to FIGS. 18A to 18C, the description willproceed to an electrical connector having a double locking mechanismaccording to a third preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0117] A groove 4C is formed in the vicinity of an engaging portion 4Bof a double locking member 4. When the double locking member 4 has beenpushed down, the groove 4C holds an inclined plane 2C of a secondstabilizer 2B, and a corner 4D of the groove 4C pushes the inclinedplane 2C to the left direction. And so, a contact 2 moves to the leftdirection as well as the first embodiment above-mentioned. Consequently,the contact 2 is prevented from shaking to the direction perpendicularto the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0118] Furthermore, referring now to FIGS. 19A to 20B, the descriptionwill proceed to an electrical connector having a double lookingmechanism according to a fourth preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0119] At first, referring to FIGS. 19A to 19C, the description willproceed to a socket connector 11. A contact 13 is accommodated in one ofa plurality of contact accommodating chambers 12A provided at aninsulator 12 by three steps structure, respectively. An inclined plane13B is formed at a stabilizer 13A of each contact 13. An electric wire14 is connected with each contact 13. A double locking member 15 isinstalled movably to the vertical direction in the insulator 12.

[0120] In a temporary locking state shown in FIG. 19B, there is a littleclearance C between the left end wall of the contact accommodatingchamber 12A and the left end of the contact 13. In this state, when thedouble locking member 15 has been pushed up to a regular lockingposition, an end 15A of the double locking member 15 gives the inclinedplane 13B of the contact 13 a force F1 of the inclined direction. Theforce F1 is divided into a component force F2 of the forward directionand a component F3 of the upward direction. The contact 13 moves to theleft direction by the component force F2. When the left end plane of thecontact 13 has hit against the left end wall of the contactaccommodating chamber 12A, the contact 13 stops. At this time, since theclearance C becomes naught, the contact 13 can not move to the insulator12.

[0121] Next, referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, the description willproceed to engagement between the socket connector 11 and a pinconnector 16. A plurality of contacts 18 are installed in an insulator17 of the pin connector 16 by three steps structure. In the engagingstate shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, an end of each contact 18 of the pinconnector 16 comes into contact with a touching portion 13C (refer FIG.19A) of each contact 13 of the socket connector 11. And besides, asshown in FIGS. 19B and 19C, an elastically deformable protrusion 15B isformed at the bottom of the double locking member 15. When the socketconnector 11 engages with the pin connector 16, the inside end 17A ofthe lower portion of the insulator 17 of the pin connector 16 hitsagainst the protrusion 15B. Therefore, the protrusion 15B deformselastically. As a result, the double locking member 15 is prevented fromshaking of the vertical direction (in FIGS. 20A and 20B) to theinsulator 12.

[0122] As will be apparent from the above-mentioned description, thisinvention can obtain the following effects.

[0123] 1. The guiding portion (i.e. the inclined plane) of thestabilizer of the contact can smoothly engage with the engaging portionof the double locking member. And besides, the contact inserted into theinsulator is prevented from shaking to the longitudinal directionthereof. Therefore; when a vibration etc. happen after the connector hasengaged with the mating connector, a fretting corrosion does not occurbetween the contact and the mating contact.

[0124] 2. Since the groove formed at the engaging portion of the doublelocking member holds the stabilizer of the contact, the contact isprevented from shaking to the direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction thereof.

[0125] 3. This invention provides the electrical connector having thedouble locking mechanism with a simple structure, a few parts, and a lowprice of manufacturing cost.

[0126] 4. In the state in which the contact has incompletely beeninserted into the insulator, the double locking member can not beoperated. Accordingly, the incomplete inserting state is easilydistinguished from the temporary locking state and the regular lockingstate.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical connector having a contactdouble-locking structure for locking a contact (24, 2, 13) inserted intoa contact hole (23 c, 1A, 12A) in an insulator (21, 1, 12), saiddouble-locking structure comprising a double locking member (22, 4, 15),said double-locking member can move to the direction perpendicular tothe inserting direction of said contact (24, 2, 13) in said insulator(21, 1, 12) between a temporary locking position where saiddouble-locking member (22, 4, 15) is temporarily locked with a portion(27 a) of said insulator (21, 1, 12) and a regular locking positionwhere said double-locking member (22, 4, 15) is regularly locked at adifferent position in said insulator (21, 1, 12), said double-lockingmember (22, 4, 15) being prevented from moving from said temporarylocking position to said regular locking position by a stabilizer (24 b,2D, 13A) of said contact (24, 2, 13) when said contact (24, 2, 13) isincompletely inserted into said contact hole (23 c, 1A, 12A), saiddouble-locking member (22, 4, 15) can move from said temporary lockingposition to said regular locking position when said contact (24, 2, 13)is completely inserted into said contact hole (23 c, 1A, 12A), saiddouble-locking member (22, 4, 15) having an engaging portion (4B, 15A)for engaging with said stabilizer (24 b, 2D, 13A) to prevent saidcontact (24, 2, 13) from moving out of said contact hole (23 c, 1A, 12A)in the opposite direction to the inserting direction when saiddouble-locking member (22, 4, 15) is in the regular locking position,wherein said stabilizer (2D, 13A) has a guiding portion (2C, 13B) forguiding said engaging portion (4B, 15A) therealong when saiddouble-locking member (4, 15) is moved into said regular lockingposition, whereby said contact (2, 13) is moved in the insertingdirection and is brought into its completely inserted position withoutclearance (C) between said stabilizer (2D, 13A) and said engagingportion (4B, 15A).
 2. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1,wherein said guiding portion (2C, 13B) is an inclined plane.
 3. Anelectrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stabilizer (2B)is equipped with a slit (2E) and is elastically deformable.
 4. Anelectrical connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said engagingportion (4B) is equipped with a groove (4A, 4C) for holding saidstabilizer (2B) to prevent said contact (2) from moving in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said contact (2).
 5. Anelectrical connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein said engagingportion (4B) is equipped with a groove (4A, 4C) for holding saidstabilizer (2B) to prevent said contact (2) from moving in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said contact (2).
 6. Anelectrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connector has aplurality of contacts (2, 13) with stabilizers (2B, 13A) held in aplurality of contact holes (1A, 12A) in said insulator (1, 12), saiddouble-locking member (4, 15) has a plurality of engaging portions (4B,15A) which prevent said contacts (2, 13), respectively, from moving inthe opposite directions to the inserting direction by engaging withstabilizers (2B, 13A) of the contacts (2, 13), respectively.
 7. Anelectrical connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein said stabilizer (2B,13A) is elastically deformable.
 8. An electrical connector as claimed inclaim 7, wherein said stabilizer (2B) is equipped with a slit (2E).